Read Online A Matchmaker's Match by Nina Coombs Pykare - Free Book Online Page A

Lady Linden’s daughter must be far from pleasant.
    “Things of a romantic nature,” Psyche explained, “usually occur in the suit of hearts.” She reached for the cards in the middle. “Perhaps one of these will indicate—” She turned it over.
    “A heart,” Miss Linden crowed. “The four!”
    “Which indicates the marriage of a close relative.”
    Miss Linden’s face fell. It was clear she wished for a marriage somewhat closer, like her own.
    Psyche turned over another card.
    “The king!” Miss Linden cried, clapping her hands. “Is that good?”
    Psyche nodded. “Very good. A blond man secretly admires you.”
    Miss Linden’s sallow face took on a rosy cast. “A blond man,” she breathed. “One more card. I do hope it’s a good one.”
    Psyche turned it over. “The five of hearts. You will take a long trip.”
    Miss Linden looked disappointed. Poor girl, Psyche thought, surprised by another surge of pity. “You will take this trip alone,” she continued, somewhat to her amazement extemporizing for the girl’s benefit. “Except, of course, for your maid. And on this trip you will meet a wonderful, wonderful man.”
    There! Psyche told herself. That should give Miss Linden something worthwhile to think about. And Lady Linden, too!
    Looking stunned, Miss Linden remained in her chair. “A trip,” she mumbled. “A wonderful man.”
    Aunt Anna bustled up, like some gigantic mauve tent bedecked with ruffles. “Come, my dear,” she said gently, pulling Miss Linden to her feet and leading her aside. “Psyche has many futures to read yet. Now who wants to be next?”
    “I do,” cried Georgie, from her place across the circle. Smiling at Gresham and the others, she bounced over to sit at the little table.
    As Psyche shuffled the cards and dealt them out, Georgie grinned. “So, Psyche, do you read good things in my future?”
    Psyche smiled. In spite of Georgie’s flirtatious attentions to the earl, they were still friends. Georgie couldn’t help her nature. “Indeed, I do.” It was easy to predict Georgie’s good fortune, even without the cards. Georgie was the kind who always landed on her feet.
    The first card up was the ace of hearts. “Lifelong happiness with the one you love,” Psyche said. “What more could you ask for?”
    “Nothing,” Georgie returned with a seductive smile at the earl. “Nothing at all.”
    Psyche stifled a sigh. That was Georgie, always flirting. But must she do it with the earl? Did she have to want him, too?
    She must stop this kind of thinking, Psyche told herself harshly. If the earl decided to marry, he--and he alone--would decide who the lady was to be. And no one and nothing could change that.
    When the reading of her cards was finished, Georgie tripped back to her seat. Beaming, she stopped to speak to Gresham, laying a familiar hand on his shoulder. “You’re next.”
    Gresham sauntered across the room, flirting shamelessly with Psyche, and ogling her up and down. The earl straightened in his chair. If he hadn’t known the man was besotted with Georgie, he might have really bristled. As it was, he still felt a sense of disquiet. Lady Bluestocking was his, even if she didn’t know it yet. He didn’t want other men flattering her, even in fun.
    Leaning forward, Gresham eyed Psyche. “Do you see yourself in my future, oh beautiful one?”
    Psyche chuckled and raised an eyebrow. “I’m afraid not, milord. But your future looks bright.” She touched the ace of clubs. “This denotes great success socially.” She smiled. “Of course that’s no surprise—a man with-your silver tongue should have no problems.”
    Gresham preened a little, and ran a hand through his reddish hair.
    The earl forced himself to relax. Gresham was mad about Georgie. He was no threat.
    “Do go on,” Gresham said.
    “The ace of diamonds. You will achieve wealth by hard and honest work.”
    Both Gresham’s eyebrows shot up. “Work! Me? Impossible!” He put a hand over